A gallery is an art space, often privately owned by a single individual, that hosts various exhibitions for the public to attend. These events are meant to promote the work of artists and bring in revenue by allowing them to sell their pieces. Gallery spaces also provide a place for well known artists to conduct private exhibitions. This is often done in order to sell more of their work and expand their brand.
Aside from displaying and selling artwork, galleries do many other things behind the scenes to ensure everything runs smoothly. They build portfolios for each artist they represent and commit to showcasing, marketing, and selling their art. This means the gallery takes on the responsibility of communicating with their clients, invoicing them for purchases, monitoring the value of art (on the secondary market), and so much more.
This is all in addition to curating exhibitions and providing educational content about art. They may even host workshops, lecture series and other events to promote their art. These activities can help the artists in different ways and they also get a chance to meet other people who share their passion for art.
If you want to get into a gallery, you should start by sending in your art for consideration. You should follow the guidelines carefully and make sure to include all the necessary information. For example, most galleries will ask for a brief description of your background and the body of work you would like to submit. This information can then be reviewed by the curator.
Once your submission has been reviewed, the gallery will let you know if they would be interested in working with you. If they are, they will give you their gallery policy and terms of service, as well as the prices for the art in their collection. Once you agree, you will sign a contract with the gallery that states your agreement and the price you will be paid for each piece sold.
Some galleries focus on a certain genre of art, such as photography, or a particular period of time in history. Others are a bit more broad in their scope, showcasing all different types of art. It’s important to choose a gallery that is a good fit for you and your work so that you can be happy with the relationship.
One thing to keep in mind when approaching a gallery is that the art industry is very competitive. The last thing you want to do is come across as pushy or unprofessional. Do not bombard galleries with emails or phone calls, especially if they are busy with other projects. Be respectful and be patient, as it might take some time for them to respond. Also, make sure to send your submissions in a well-packed envelope, including prepaid postage to return them if the gallery is not interested in purchasing your artwork. This is a great way to show the gallery that you are professional and respectful.